When it comes to good beach reads, we don’t have to be limited to the usual suspects, also known as the summer romance novels.

Sometimes a romance novel hits the spot, but when I was thinking back to some of my personal favorite books I’ve read in previous summers, I realized there were many other genres represented, such as mysteries, thrillers, historical fiction, literary fiction, and more.

Yes, romance novels are included on this list, but if romance isn’t your go-to genre, there are several other genres to choose from.

Note: If you are looking for audiobooks to listen to at the beach, I’ve added “Great on audio” notes next to those I enjoyed on audio.

Let’s get reading!

Find this post helpful?

Save it on Pinterest

SAVE Now!

Thrillers to Take to the Beach

First up, thrillers. One of the perks of a good thriller is that it will hold your attention. This might be exactly what you need if your summer vacation is on a rowdy cruise or crowded beach and you are looking for a good beach read. I read maybe two thrillers a year, and I don’t like ones that are going to keep me from sleeping, if you know what I mean. You will probably notice that when I find an author in this genre, I tend to read more of that author because I learn I can trust them not to be too dark.

The books are listed in order from the least dark, nail-biting to the darkest.

The River by Peter Heller

This was one of my favorite books that I read in the summer of 2019. What starts out as a peaceful canoe trip that two college friends decide to take during their summer break quickly turns into a story of survival. Wynn and Jack set out on a canoe trip in northern Canada, only to find themselves battling nature and other threats when they hear a couple arguing from a distance and later discover a raging wildfire. The trip turns into a gripping survival adventure, testing their friendship and resilience against the wild and unforeseen dangers. This one is also great if you’re looking for something on the short side, as it’s only 253 pages.

Amazon audible

The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth

Sally Hepworth is one of those authors I will always read. Hepworth writes novels that are a mix of women’s fiction, mystery, and thriller. This book had me hooked from page one. It starts with an interesting premise about a family living in a beach house on a cliff with a steep drop. It’s a dream house except for one problem — it’s a popular suicide spot. (And that is the most I will give away.) This book is about marriage, parenting, identity, and mental illness. It also explores perception and reality, and how well you think you know someone. It is told in alternating points of view and alternating timelines. While this structure could lose readers, Hepworth presents it in a way that makes it easy to follow.

There is no gore or excessive violence. This book contained lots of twists and turns I definitely did not expect. (It makes me want to read it again.)

Amazon Audible

The Night Swim by Megan Goldin (Rachel Krall, Book 1)

The Night Swim is the first book in the Rachel Krall series. Rachel Krall is a crime podcaster who gets a lot of requests for help from loved ones seeking justice for their family members. Krall starts investigating the death of Jenny Stills, who reportedly drowned 25 years prior. She decides to investigate the case after finding several notes on her windshield asking for help. She also decides to make it the subject of her Season 3 podcast. I love the Rachel Krall books on audio because the parts where Krall is doing her podcast are produced like a real podcast, and I also find that the podcast portions give the reader a break from the tension you typically feel when reading a thriller. Plus, Krall helps you process what’s going on.

Reading Notes: Great on audio! I could not find this book available on audio on any of the usual platforms, even though I initially got it on Audible. But readers say you can still find the audiobook through your library and listen on the Libby app.

Amazon

Dark Corners by Megan Goldin (Rachel Krall, Book 2)

After enjoying The Night Swim so much, I grabbed this one as soon as it came out last summer. In fact, I think the series only gets better. There’s no connection between the case in this book and the previous one. The only connection is Rachel Krall.

In Dark Corners, Rachel is called to help the FBI by meeting with an inmate they believe is somehow involved in the recent disappearance of a popular influencer. The book ends up being a deep dive into the underbelly of the influencer world. There’s also a lesson that sometimes there are other explanations for what may seem obvious at first glance. As one of the main characters says, “The scariest monster is the one that hides in plain sight.” This book had me hooked from the beginning to the end.

(I hope there are more books in the Krall series, especially now that she’s dating an FBI agent.)

Reading Note: Great on audio! (And available on all major platforms.)

Amazon audible

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

This book technically falls under the gothic horror genre, which, if I had known that going into it, I don’t know if I would have read it, but I’m glad I did because I thought this was such an interesting story. In fact, this is one of those books I still think about even though I read it more than three years ago. Mexican Gothic follows as Noemí heads to a remote mansion after receiving a concerning letter from her cousin, who is living in a mansion in the Mexican countryside, after she married an Englishman. Noemí soon learns that there’s something about this house that makes it hard to leave. I think a lot of the time, fiction is allegory. I don’t know if this was intended by the author, but there’s something that happens in this book, or should I say, a feature of the house that seemed very symbolic of the battle we have with our human nature. If you read this one or have read this one, let me know if you pick up on this.

Reading Note: Great on audio!

Amazon Audible

Historical Fiction to Take to the Beach

I almost always read a couple of historical fiction books each summer. I think historical fiction books work during the summer because they tend to feel like adventures to me. While I never considered myself a historical fiction reader per se, the truth is that some of my favorite books are historical fiction. In fact, I had a really hard time deciding which books I wanted to include in this list because there are so many good beach reads in this genre!

Summer of Love by Kerri Maher

Summer of Love follows two timelines, one that starts in 1967 and one that starts in 2015 in the San Francisco area. The book starts in the present day, where readers are introduced to Dawn, who is a set designer who recently got out of a relationship and is realizing that she has developed an unhealthy relationship with alcohol, and has recently decided to go without. Dawn is the daughter of Miranda, who owns and runs the family winery in Napa. Dawn was recently hired to design a birthday party based on the popular (fictional) book, Phoebe and the Burning Vines. After she reads the book, so she can come up with ideas for the party, she starts to notice there are a lot of elements in the book that remind her of her family and the winery where she grew up. We are then taken back to the 1960s, where we learn about Miranda and her sister Winnie. As the story unwinds, Dawn starts to learn the family secrets that have been kept from her for more than 40 years, all while she figures out how to live and function without drinking. I thought this was a really interesting time period to explore, and was impressed by Maher’s ability to have a book within a book. Given that most of the book takes place in the 1960s, there is a lot of sex, drugs, and rock and roll. (Although most of it happens off-stage.) This book has total summer vibes.

Release date: July 7, 2026

Thank you to Berkley, an imprint of Penguin Random House, for sharing an advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Amazon Audible

The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys

I’m embarrassed to say that I literally knew nothing about Franco’s Spain post-WWII until I read this book. This book follows the lives of several characters who live in 1950s Spain and the visiting Americans who only see a curated version. As the name implies, one of the themes of this book is silence, because silence is how you survive living under a totalitarian regime. If you do anything to draw attention to yourself, it’s a recipe for disaster. The book switches between the different characters, slowly revealing the truth about some of the incredulous actions and projects the government is working on. It is interspersed with excerpts from U.S. government documents about life in Spain during this time.

Note: You will find this book in the YA section of your bookstore. Also, I don’t recommend this one on audio unless you know Spanish. It includes a lot of Spanish phrases, but the physical book includes a glossary to help with translation.

Amazon Audible

The Resistance Women by Jennifer Chiaverini

Did you know that there was an American woman who was put to death by the Gestapo during World War II? Neither did I until I read this book. Her name is Mildred Harnack, and she was a Wisconsin native. In fact, in America’s Dairyland, they observe Mildred Fish Harnack Day every September. The Resistance Women follows four women from different walks of life and takes them from pre-World War II until Harnack’s execution. This is another one of those books that has stuck with me even though I read it more than five years ago. If you’ve ever wondered how the Nazis were able to gain the power they did, this book does such a good job of showing how slowly and subtly they increased their power.

Amazon Audible

The Evolution of Annabel Craig by Lisa Grunwald

To say this book is a historical fiction book about the Scopes Monkey Trial doesn’t do it justice. Yes, it is definitely about that, and I loved getting this on-the-ground view of that pivotal trial, but it’s really a story about a young woman named Annabel Craig. Annabel has to navigate living on her own after both her parents died when she was a young teenager, a marriage with an up-and-coming local lawyer, the biggest event to ever happen in Dayton, Tennessee, and her faith in God in the face of it all. I thought it was all beautifully told in this book by Lisa Grunwald. Also, Grunwald can write!

Amazon Audible

Now is Not the Time to Panic by Kevin Wilson

I loved this book and am surprised I haven’t heard more people talk about it. This is a 1990s-era coming-of-age novel that takes place over a summer when two teenagers decide to create a poster as a joke during their summer break. The poster becomes a sensation and causes chaos throughout the town. As someone who grew up during the 90s, this book resonated with me and perfectly captures the nostalgia and essence of a 90s summer. I loved how Kevin Wilson brought that era to life.

Reading Note: Great on audio!

Amazon Audible

Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

This is a recent read of mine, but I think it’s sooo good. This book could also fall under the mystery and literary fiction genres. This book had been on my TBR list since it came out last summer. I’m only sad that it took me so long to read it. I enjoyed it so much that it gave me a serious book hangover after I finished it. I simply wanted more. The book centers around a Jewish couple, Moshe and Chona. Moshe owns the local theater, and Chona owns the local grocery store. The book explores race issues, anti-semitism, class, and what happens when all of these things intersect.

Reading Note: Great on audio!

Amazon Audible

Mystery Novels to Take to the Beach

Mystery novels also tend to grab your attention like a thriller, but they aren’t typically quite as dark. (At least none of the books on this list are very dark.) Mystery books tend to be more like solving a puzzle than being haunted by a bad guy. One of my favorite parts of mystery novels is if you read one with whose main character is the sleuth, it’s the sleuth that makes the book. This is the case wit The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency and The Mysterious Affair at Styles.

The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith

If you would like to read a mystery novel that doesn’t contain any murder, then this one is for you. If I had known what a delight these books were, I would have started reading this series a long time ago. I remember seeing these books on my mom’s bookshelves for years, and when I saw it on the shelf of one of my favorite bookstores a couple of years ago, I decided to pick it up. Mma Ramotswe (when you see Mma, think “Miss”) just inherited a herd of cattle from her father, which she sells and uses the proceeds to start her own business as a private detective. As the story unfolds, we start to learn that there is much more to Ramotswe (and her family) than meets the eye. And it’s fun to see how she approaches each case with her eccentric but clever way.

Amazon Audible

The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth

If you want to read a Sally Hepworth, I think this makes a great book to start with. This book is definitely more mystery than thriller. The book opens when Lucy’s mother-in-law, Diana, is found dead under suspicious circumstances. The book reveals buried secrets and family tensions, leading to a twisty, suspenseful narrative and a reveal. Hepworth has a way of integrating humor into her books, and I thought this one was fun to read.

Reading Note: Great on audio!

Amazon Audible

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

This might be the one book on this list that doesn’t need an introduction, given the popularity of this novel. It spent a whopping 150 weeks on the New York Times Bestseller List. But if you haven’t read this book, let this be the summer. It tells the story of Kya Clark, the “Marsh Girl,” who grows up isolated in the North Carolina marshlands. When a local man is found dead, Kya becomes a prime suspect, intertwining a murder mystery with her journey of survival, love, and connection to nature. I personally loved watching Kya grow into a respected naturalist while figuring out how to make it on her own. Although she did have a few guardian angels watching over her. The movie they made of this book is actually well done.

Amazon Audible

The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb

The Violin Conspiracy tells the story of Ray McMillian, a Black classical violinist whose family heirloom violin and Stradivarius is stolen just before a major competition. As Ray navigates the challenges of reclaiming his stolen instrument, he uncovers profound truths about his heritage, identity, and the power of music. The story is told by going back and forth between the past and the present, showing Ray’s climb as a world-class violinist and the racial challenges he faced. Slocumb says that some of the story is autobiographical. This is another mystery novel that will have you hooked from the beginning, and it doesn’t contain any murder.

Amazon Audible

The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie

If you’ve never read any Agatha Christie, I think this is a great book to start with because it is the first installment in the Hercule Poirot series. Set in the summer, the season’s heat weaves into the narrative as a compelling element. Poirot, a Belgian refugee turned astute detective, probes the poisoning of the affluent Emily Inglethorp at Styles Court. The investigation is rife with misleading clues, concealed familial skeletons, and a clever manipulation of a will. Poirot captivates, and his absence from the pages is keenly felt.

Amazon Audible

Romance Novels to Take to the Beach

Of course, I had to include some romance novels, but as the title implies, I think good beach reads are more than just romance. All of the books on this list feature a protagonist who is dealing with heavy issues. They are either grieving the loss of a parent, the loss of a spouse, dealing with serious health issues, or trying to make it in life after being raised by a neglectful, narcissistic parent. BUT they are also interlaced with plenty of humor and hope, which is why I loved all of the books on this list. My point is that romance doesn’t have to mean a lack of depth.

Summer State of Mindy by Kristy Woodson Harvey

One of my first thoughts after starting this book was that when people say they are looking for a beach read, this is the kind of book they are talking about. There’s romance, it takes place on the coast, but it also has enough depth to hold your interest. Daisy is a NICU nurse who has just moved to the beach town of Cape Carolina. Mason is the baseball coach at the local high school. When Mason and his star player, Drew, find a newborn baby in a dumpster, they rush the baby to the local hospital, where Daisy is on duty. Mason and Daisy immediately bond over this situation and become fast friends, which slowly starts to turn into more. At the same time, Mason has an aunt named Tilley, who has never been quite right since her high school sweetheart died decades earlier and is going through a transformation of her own. I liked that this book doesn’t just focus on the late 20-somethings’ relationship, but also features an older character who is still haunted by her past. Mason’s whole family is a lot of fun, too, and the whole dynamic is very interesting. Closed door but not chaste.

---

Amazon Audible

Just for Summer by Abby Jimenez

Justin and Emma connect after he posts in the AmItheAsshole subreddit about an issue he has with his best friend and a “curse” where his exes find their soulmates after dating him. Emma shares the same fate and messages him, leading to a plan to date and break the curse. They face a challenge: Justin is in Minnesota while Emma, a traveling nurse, is heading to Hawaii. Emma convinces her bestfriend Maddy to work in Minnesota for the summer, allowing her and Justin to explore their connection. This book uses one of my favorite romance tropes: the Fake Romance Trope, which brings fun banter. But it also explores some heavy issues that both Emma and Justin are navigating. A book that can make me laugh out loud and bring me to tears is a win for me.

Read my full Just for Summer review here.

Amazon Audible

Beach Read by Emily Henry

Emily Henry’s Beach Read delves into themes of sorrow, redemption, and the courage to be open-hearted. January Andrews, a romance novelist grappling with financial strain and creative stagnation, inherits a lakeside house from her late father. She retreats there, aspiring to write her next novel while she considers selling the house for financial relief. To her surprise, next door to her new refuge is Augustus “Gus” Everett, a writer of literary fiction and January’s former academic rival. Their initial friction evolves into an unexpected camaraderie and a tender romance.

Note: This book contains open door sex scenes.

Amazon Audible

Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle

Want a romance mixed with some magical realism? Daphne, a Jewish girl from LA, leads an ordinary life with one extraordinary quirk: whenever she encounters a potential love interest, a slip of paper materializes, bearing the man’s name and the duration of their impending romance. When the book opens, Daphne receives a paper without an end date alongside a new name, suggesting he might be her soulmate. The narrative weaves between the past and the present, blossoming from a fanciful romance into a profound exploration of Daphne’s life and world, hinting at deeper layers hidden beneath the surface.

Note: This book contains open-door sex scenes, but they are minimal and easy to skip.

Amazon Audible

Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes

Evvie, a young widow, has isolated herself following her husband’s tragic death in an accident. Haunted by grief and guilt over her secret desire to leave the marriage before his death, she retreats from the world. She is living in a house in Maine, complete with a rentable apartment, which becomes occupied by Dean Tenney, a baseball pitcher plagued by the “yips,” a mysterious affliction that derails his career, as a tenant. The quaint town in Maine offers Dean a sanctuary for recovery. As Evvie and Dean’s lives intertwine, they forge a bond, each confronting their personal battles. The narrative delves into this evolving connection, a testament to resilience and the unexpected paths of healing.

Amazon Audible

Hope and Other Punchlines by Julie Buxbaum

I thought this was a very sweet (and clean!) book I read a few years ago. Hope and Other Punchlines follows Abbi Hope Goldstein, a 9/11 survivor known for a famous photograph taken on that tragic day when she was a baby being rescued from the Twin Towers. She is now a teenager working at a summer camp. There, she meets Noah Stern, who has his own connection to that day and seeks her help to uncover a long-held mystery. Together, they navigate the complexities of their pasts, forming an unexpected bond filled with humor, heartache, and hope. This is a great book that both you and your teenage daughter (if you have one) will enjoy. I think it’s a way to introduce teens to some of the fallout of 9/11 that we don’t hear talked about anymore.

Amazon Audible

Literary Fiction to Take to the Beach

Summer can also be a great time to finally read that literary fiction novel you’ve had on your TBR list for way to long. Here are some that I personally loved and read during the summer. Sometimes literary fiction book can mean slow burn, but I don’t think that’s the case for any of these books except for maybeTom Lake. Again, there are sooo many other books I could have included on this list, but I think these are good ones to start with.

The Lager Queen of Minnesota by J. Ryan Stradal

This is one of my all-time favorite books! This book explores themes of family, friendship, beer-making (of course), and redemption. This book follows two sisters, Helen and Edith. After their father leaves the family farm solely to Helen, she uses the inheritance to create a successful brewery, while her sister Edith struggles despite her talent for baking. The story follows their fractured relationship and the next generation’s efforts to change their family’s fortunes, highlighting themes of resilience, reconciliation, and transformation in the face of adversity. I fell in love with these

Amazon Audible

This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger

This is another one of my all-time faves! This book is what you would get if Homer’s Odyssey and Huckleberry Finn had a baby, but so much more. This book takes place in 1932 and follows three boys who manage to escape an Indian Training School, plus a sad girl named Emmy, whom they bring with them. The injustice these kids face is heartbreaking, but from there, it’s like an epic novel that will take you on an adventure. This book is historical fiction, literary fiction, coming of age, and more. It’s a book about courage, friendship, faith, hope, and survival. It’s a long one, at 450 pages, but it holds your attention from start to finish.

Amazon Audible

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

This book made me want to go find a production I could watch, like in the worst way. Tom Lake revolves around Lara, who tells the story of her youthful summer romance with a now-famous actor named Peter Duke to her three adult daughters during the COVID-19 pandemic. When Lara first meets Peter Duke, it’s because she’s in a production of Our Town together for the summer. Through this storytelling, the novel explores themes of love, family, and the passage of time, as Lara and her daughters come to understand more about each other and the choices they’ve made. This book also does a good job of exploring the fleeting nature of fame.

Reading Note: Great on audio! (It’s read by actress Meryl Streep.)

Amazon Audible

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

This book has a lot going on. Little Fires Everywhere revolves around the lives of the Richardson family and their enigmatic tenants, Mia Warren and her daughter, Pearl, in the affluent suburb of Shaker Heights, Ohio. There is also a custody battle over a Chinese-American baby that divides the community, leading to clashes between the seemingly perfect Richardson family and the free-spirited Mia, culminating in the mysterious fire that destroys the Richardson home. The novel explores themes of race, privilege, motherhood, and the conflicts between personal desires and societal expectations. I think this would make a great book club pick because there is A LOT going on to discuss. This book was made into a TV series that I personally didn’t like. As we say in the book world, “The book was better.”

Amazon Audible

Rules of Civility by Amor Towles

This is one of those books that makes me wish I could go back and live in the early 1900s because it seemed like such an interesting time to live. (Although, I don’t think I would have liked living through the Depression, so there’s always trade-offs, right?) Rules of Civility follows the journey of Katey Kontent, a young woman navigating the vibrant social scene of 1930s New York City after a chance encounter with the enigmatic and wealthy Tinker Grey on New Year’s Eve. As Katey ascends the social ladder, she grapples with themes of love, ambition, and identity, forming complex relationships that test her morals and aspirations. The story culminates in Katey’s reflection on the choices and sacrifices made along her path, revealing the bittersweet nature of personal and professional success.

Amazon Audible

What books on this list are you most excited to read? I would love to hear. Please share your thoughts in the comments section.

The post 25 Good Beach Reads That Aren’t (Just) Romance Novels appeared first on Passion of Audiobooks.

What makes a book perfect for summer reading?

While no books are off limits for any time of the year, there’s something about reading a book in the summer that is set in the summer that just feels so right for the season. Just like cuddling up with a cozy mystery in the fall feels so right for that season. Or a Christmas novel in December.

While some authors, like Elin Hilderbrand, are known for writing books set in summer, there are others that may not be quite as obvious at first glance.

This post is all about books set in summer that will be perfect for your Summer Reading List.

Let’s dive in!

Books Set in Summer

01

The Great Gatsby

This classic by F. Scott Fitzgerald is set in the summer of 1922. The heat is so intense in parts of this book, it feels like a character. It follows the life of Jay Gatsby, who is known for his extravagant parties and mysterious past, which attracts the attention of his neighbor, Nick Carraway.

Nick becomes friends with Gatsby and learns about his obsession with Daisy Buchanan, a woman he loved before he went to war.

Gatsby believes that he can win Daisy back, despite the fact that she is now married to another man.

This is one of those books that will make you ask a lot of questions: Is wealth really worth it? Can you buy love? How far are you willing to go to get what you want? And more. There’s a reason this book is a classic.

If you’re looking for a shorter book to add to your summer reading list, The Great Gatsby is only 180 pages.

02

The River

The River was one of my favorite books of 2019. As the name implies, it takes place while two college students take a canoe trip down a river in the wilderness of northern Canada during their summer break. This book starts off as a very quiet and peaceful trip down a river. It reminds me of the calming effect you get when you’re in nature.

As they move down the river, events take place that turn this book into an intense thriller as they are faced with various challenges. This book is ultimately about friendship and loyalty. If you love being in nature, this book is for you.

03

Malibu Rising

Malibu Rising is a novel that unfolds over one hot summer night. It tells the story of four siblings who are also the children of a legendary rock star in the 1980s. The book explores family dynamics and relationships between siblings while covering events from the 1950s to the present day. Malibu Rising was the Read with Jenna pick for June 2021.

Although I have not read this book, I am intrigued by a story that takes place over one hot August night and ends with a Malibu mansion burning to the ground. It sounds like a perfect addition to any summer reading list.

04

Now is Not the Time to Panic

Kevin Wilson tends to write quirky books about quirky characters, and I have yet to read one I didn’t like. Now is Not the Time to Panic is no exception. This book is about friendship, coming of age, and how to face the past. If you’ve ever been curious about how teenagers spent their summers in the 90s, this book is a glimpse into that.

As a 90s kid myself, this book felt like a throwback for me. Now is Not the Time to Panic focuses on two teenagers who are looking for something to do. Out of boredom, they decide to create a sign that they post anonymously all over town.

What starts as innocuous fun turns into so much more. Wilson does a great job writing about female heroines. At 256 pages, this book is a quick read, and I thought it was great on audio.

05

Charlotte’s Web

Charlotte’s Web is a children’s classic that is totally worth re-reading as an adult. This book is about friendship, loyalty, and sacrifice. You can’t help but fall in love with all of the characters, especially the animals and the beloved spider, Charlotte. The story starts in spring when the pig, Wilbur, is born. When Wilbur is born, the farmer is about to slaughter him because he is a runt.

That’s until the farmer’s daughter, Fern, intervenes and promises to take care of him. When he starts to get too big to live in the house, Wilbur is then taken to live on Fern’s uncle’s farm where he meets the other animals who inform him that his fate is to become the Christmas ham.

That’s when Charlotte decides to help him by weaving messages into her web that praise Wilbur’s virtues. The whole town sees this as a miracle, which saves his life. There’s something almost magical about this book.

06

Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club

loved The Lager Queen of Minnesota, so when I saw that J. Ryan Stradal was coming out with another book, I knew I wanted to read it. Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club covers four generations of women and dives into the complex mother-and-daughter relationships that go with them. This book just felt like summer in the Midwest.

In fact, I would say Stradal’s books often feel like a love letter to the Upper Midwest states.

Don’t let the bright yellow cover deceive you. This book deals with some very heavy topics. If you love books with a strong sense of place, the Lakeside Supper Club and the town where it’s located definitely become a character.  Content Warning: Death of a child.

07

Surviving Savannah

Have you heard of the Southern Titanic? Well, I hadn’t either until I read Surviving Savannah by Patti Callahan Henry. Surviving Savannah tells the story of the steamship Pulaski that sank off the coast of Georgia in the summer of 1838. Wealthy Georgians boarded the Pulaski to escape the grueling heat of a Southern Summer that was supposed to take them to upstate New York.

Unfortunately, the Pulaski never made it to its destination. The book details the events that led to this disaster and the journey that the survivors went through to get back to shore. It also explores the issue of slavery, domestic violence, and the positives and negatives that can result from intense trauma.

08

Beach Read

Beach Read by Emily Henry is a story about grief, forgiveness, love, and vulnerability. The story begins when January Andrews, a best-selling romance author who is having financial problems and a serious case of writer’s block, inherits a beach house from her recently deceased father. She decides to spend the summer at the beach house, hoping to find inspiration for her next book and possibly sell the property to make ends meet.

To her surprise, January discovers that her next-door neighbor is none other than Augustus “Gus” Everett, a literary fiction writer who also happens to be her college rival. Despite their differences, they strike up an unlikely friendship and unexpected romance. Note: This book includes open-door love scenes.

09

Evvie Drake Starts Over

I don’t read a ton of romance, but this is one I really enjoyed a few summers back. For me, romance novels need depth to keep my interest, and this one definitely has that. Evvie is a young widow whose husband recently died in a car crash. As a result, she’s become a bit of a recluse. While she is struggling with grief, she is also struggling with guilt because before her husband died, she was getting ready to end the marriage.

Evvie lives in a house in Maine that has an apartment in the back that’s for rent. Evvie’s best friend invites Major League Baseball pitcher Dean Tenney to rent the apartment after he starts struggling with something called the “yips” that keeps him from throwing straight.

The small Maine town makes it a great setting where Dean can regroup. The book explores the friendship that develops between the two as they both grapple with their struggles. Content Warning: Grief.

10

The Soulmate

I was immediately hooked by this book from the very first chapter. It starts with an intriguing premise about a family living in a beach house on a cliff with a steep drop – a dream house, except for one problem: it’s a popular suicide spot. But that’s all I’ll reveal about the plot. The Soulmate explores themes of marriage, parenting, and mental illness while also exploring perception and reality and how well we truly know someone.

The story is told through alternating points of view and timelines, which could potentially confuse readers, but Hepworth presents it in a way that makes it easy to follow. With its beach setting, The Soulmate would make for a perfect summer read.

11

The Mysterious Affair at Styles

I have been hooked on Agatha Christie ever since reading this book. I picked up this book as part of the Reading Through the Decades Reading Challenge as a book that is set in the 1920s. If you’ve never read any Agatha Christie, this is the perfect book to start with because this is the first book in the Hercule Poirot series.

This book is also set in summer, and the heat of summer ends up playing an interesting role in the case. Poirot is a Belgian refugee turned detective, who investigates the poisoning of wealthy Emily Inglethorp at Styles Court. The case is filled with red herrings, family secrets, and an ingenious use of a will. Poirot is that sleuth that you miss when he’s not on the page.

Where to Buy:

What are You Going to Read Next?

I know. There are so many books to choose from! That’s why I only gave you 11. Hopefully, that makes it a little easier to choose.

Have you read any of these books? Are you adding any of these books to your TBR? I want to hear all about it!

Free Download

Join the Choose Your Own Adventure Summer Reading Challenge!

Name

Email*

Email

Submit

The post 11 Books Set in Summer for Your Summer TBR appeared first on Passion of Audiobooks.

Looking for historical fiction books for the summer? I think this is a great genre to explore in the summer as the books make you feel like you have traveled to a different time and place.

While I never thought of myself as a historical fiction reader, some of the best books I’ve read are in that genre.

Some historical fiction books are as action packed as any thriller. Some are so expertly crafted with thoroughly developed characters that they rival the best literary fiction. And some are mystery puzzles that need to be solved.

I find that historical fiction fall into two categories:

• Stories that take you through a specific historical event such as a war.
• Stories that give you a glimpse into what life was like during a certain time in a certain place.

How I chose books for this list? I started with books that I personally read and loved and thought would make great picks for summer reading. I then surveyed readers from real life or from reading groups I’m in for their recommendations for summer. I then looked up each title on GoodReads and picked the books with highest ratings.

You can feel confident with the books on this carefully crafted reading list of historical fiction books for summer.

Let’s dive in!

Historical Fiction Books for Summer

The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon (1780s)

I wouldn’t have personally picked a book about a frozen river for a summer reading book, but sooo many readers said this book needs to go on your summer TBR list! Described as a historical mystery, The Frozen River tells the story of a real midwife who lived in Maine in the late 1700s who is called upon to determine the cause-of-death of a man who is found dead in a local river after it freezes over. The midwife thinks it’s clearly murder; while a local Harvard educated doctor thinks otherwise. This launches the midwife into an investigation to learn more about what happened. Months before he was found dead, a woman confided in Martha that the man found dead was part of a duo who raped her. Fans describe this book as gripping and atmospheric page-turner.

buy the book!

The American Queen by Vanessa Miller (1860s)

The American Queen tells the story about a group of formerly enslaved Americans who were forced out of their homes in Mississippi. They travel northward in search of their own land where they could settle and establish their own community, and they do just that under the leadership of their sweet queen and king in a series of providential events. This is a beautiful and true story about loyalty, survival, trust, power, love, and forgiveness.

Reading note: Great on audio! (My favorite part was when the narrator would sing. She really brought Louella to life.)

buy the book!

Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurty (1870s)

Two old-timer cowboys, Gus and Call, decide to saddle up for one last adventure: driving a herd of cattle from their Texas ranch all the way to Montana. Along the dusty trail, they face challenges, forge new friendships with a ragtag group of cowboys, and grapple with the fading glory of their Ranger days. The journey is a bittersweet reminder of life, loss, and the enduring power of friendship. Historical fiction fans rave about this book and say it is a must-read.

buy the book!

Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters (1880s)

This is the first book in the Amelia Peabody series. Peabody is a strong-willed Victorian woman who inherits a fortune and sets off for Egypt to fulfill her passion for Egyptology. On her journey, she befriends Evelyn, a young woman in need of a protector. Together, they travel up the Nile to an excavation site, where they encounter a grumpy archaeologist, a suspicious mummy, and a plot that threatens Evelyn’s life. Amelia, with her sharp wit and resourcefulness, must unravel the mystery and keep her new friend safe. Some people find Amelia annoying, but I love her. In my opinion her overconfidence is part of her charm. She literally had me laughing out loud.

Go here if you want more Ancient Egyptian historical fiction.

Reading Note: Great on audio!

buy the book!

Lovely War by Julie Berry (1910s)

I loved this book! There is a lot of historical fiction written about World War II; this one is about World War I. It’s written in the context of a love story (hence, the title of the book). It also has a very unique context because in the background you will meet the Greek gods Aphrodite, Hephaestus, and Ares who are all playing a role in the story. Aphrodite is on trial for meddling in people’s lives! To defend herself, she recounts a tale of four characters during World War I. There’s Hazel, a talented pianist yearning for love, and James, a soldier headed for war. Across the battlefield, Colette, a brave singer with a tragic past, finds solace in the music of Aubrey, a talented jazz musician facing prejudice. As war stretches its cruel hand, these four must fight for love, friendship, and hope amidst the chaos.

Reading note: If you’re looking for this one in your local bookstore or library, expect to find it in the young adult section.

buy the book!

The Evolution of Annabel Craig by Lisa Grunwald (1920s)

To say this book is a historical fiction book about the Scopes Monkey Trial doesn’t do it justice. Yes, it is definitely about that, and I loved getting this on-the-ground view of that pivotal trial, but it’s really a story about a young woman named Annabel Craig. Annabel has to navigate living on her own after both her parents died when she was a young teenager, a marriage with an up-and-coming local lawyer, the biggest event to ever happen in Dayton, Tennessee, and her faith in God in the face of it all. I thought it was all beautifully told in this book by Lisa Grunwald. Also, Grunwald can write!

buy the book!

Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride (1930s)

This is a recent read of mine, but I think it’s sooo good. This book could also fall under the mystery and literary fiction genres. This book had been on my TBR list since it came out last summer. I’m only sad that it took me so long to read it. I enjoyed it so much that it gave me a serious book hangover after I finished it. I simply wanted more. The book centers around a Jewish couple, Moshe and Chona. Moshe owns the local theater, and Chona owns the local grocery store. The book explores race issues, anti-semitism, class, and what happens when all of these things intersect.

Reading Note: Great on audio!

buy the book!

The Bookwoman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson (1930s)

It’s 1936 in Kentucky where we meet Cussy (Mary) Carter, a clever woman, who is one of the “blue people” of Kentucky. Despite facing prejudice, she takes a job as for the Pack Horse Library Project, delivering books on horseback to families in the Appalachian mountains. Along the way, she befriends lonely and desperate people, challenges their suspicions, and shares the magic of good books in a world full of despair and hardship. This book is a reminder that books can connect communities and offer hope even in tough times. This is a book about friendship, hope, mercy, and compassion.

Content Warnings: Sexual assault, death, starvation

buy the book!

The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes (1930s)

The Giver of Stars also tells the story of the Packhorse Librarians of Kentucky, but through a different character. Alice escapes a her stuffy life in England by marrying an American man, but small-town Kentucky isn’t much better. When she has a chance to join the library group delivering books part of one of Eleanor Roosevelt’s projects, Alice volunteers. Alongside a group of women, Alice braves the mountains to bring the joy of reading to remote communities. Facing prejudice and danger, these unlikely friends learn the power of books, friendship, resilience, and compassion.

buy the book!

The Resistance Women by Jennifer Chiaverini (1929 to 1946)

Did you know that there was an American woman who was put to death by the Gestapo during World War II? Neither did I until I read this book. Her name is Mildred Harnack, and she was a Wisconsin native. In fact, in America’s Dairyland they observe Mildred Fish Harnack Day every September. The Resistance Women follows four women from different walks of life and takes them from pre-World War II until Harnack’s execution. This is another one of those books that has stuck with me even though I read it more than five years ago. If you’ve ever wondered how the Nazis were able to gain the power they did, this book does such a good job of showing how slowly and subtly they increased their power.

buy the book!

Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly (1939 to 1959)

This book follows three women during World War II. Caroline Ferriday, a socialite from New York, works tirelessly to aid Polish women subjected to medical experiments at Ravensbrück concentration camp. Kasia, a young Polish girl, faces unimaginable horrors in the camp but finds hope in Caroline’s determination to help. Meanwhile, German doctor Herta Oberheuser grapples with moral dilemmas as she becomes involved in the Nazi regime’s atrocities. Through their stories, this book sheds light on historical character. This is a book about resilience, determination, and friendship.

buy the book!

If I Were You by Lynn Austin (1940s)

If I Were You is an epic novel that tells the story of life in England during World War II through the lens of two women who are the same age, but polar opposites in every other way. The book starts in the present, in 1950 in the United States, when widowed war bride Audrey Clarkson and her young son show up at the home of the parents of her deceased husband in Connecticut to find her old longtime friend Eve Dawson pretending to be her. The book then goes back and tells how they got to where they are and why.

I loved this book! It is beautifully written and has such well-developed characters. If you like historical fiction, especially World War 2 historical fiction, definitely check this one out!

Check out my full review of If I Were You.

Reading Note: Great on audio!

buy the book!

Go as a River by Shelley Read (1940s)

This novel is set on a Colorado peach farm during the 1940s. It follows Victoria Nash, a young woman who navigates the challenges of love, loss, and resilience after a tragic accident changes her life. As she seeks a fresh start, Victoria discovers the strength within herself and the beauty of forging her own path. The book beautifully intertwines themes of nature, family, and the enduring human spirit, making it a heartwarming and inspiring read. This would make for a great peach-themed book club pick!

buy the book!

The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali (1950s)

This is an love story set against the backdrop of 1950s Tehran. It follows Roya, a young woman who finds solace and romance in a quaint stationery shop, where she meets her first love, Bahman. Their relationship is torn apart by political upheaval, but decades later, Roya gets a chance to reconnect with Bahman and uncover the truth about their past. This beautifully written novel explores themes of love, loss, and the enduring power of memory, making it a heartfelt and memorable read. This book goes back and forth between the past and the present, and it had me hooked from page one. Soooo good!

buy the book!

The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys (1950s)

I’m embarrassed to say that I literally knew nothing about Franco’s Spain post-WWII until I read this book. This book follows the lives of several characters who live in Franco’s Spain and the visiting Americans who only see a curated version. As the name implies, one of the themes of this book is silence — because silence is how you survive living under a totalitarian regime. If you do anything to draw attention to yourself, it’s a recipe for disaster. The book switches between the different characters, slowly revealing the truth about some of the incredulous actions and projects the government is working on. It is interspersed with excerpts from U.S. government documents about life in Spain during this time.

Note: You will find this book in the YA section of your bookstore. Also, I don’t recommend this one on audio unless you know Spanish. It includes a lot of Spanish phrases, but the physical book includes a glossary to help with translation.

buy the book!

Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez (1970s)

I’m going to warn you . . . this is a gut-wrenching story, but I also think that its an important read. This book is set in 1970s Alabama. It follows Civil Townsend, a young nurse who becomes deeply involved in the lives of two young sisters and discovers a shocking injustice within the healthcare system. As Civil fights for the girls’ rights and navigates her own moral dilemmas, the story highlights themes of compassion, courage, and the fight for justice. This book sheds light on a dark chapter in American history, which is the reason why I think it’s worth reading.

buy the book!

Now is Not the Time to Panic by Kevin Wilson (1990s)

I loved this book and am surprised I haven’t heard more people talk about it. This is a 1990s-era coming-of-age novel that takes place over a summer when two teenagers decide to create a poster as a joke during their summer break. The poster becomes a sensation and causes chaos throughout the town. As someone who grew up during the 90s, this book resonated with me and perfectly captures the nostalgia and essence of a 90s summer. I loved how Kevin Wilson brought that era to life.

Reading Note: Great on audio!

buy the book!

What historical fiction books are you most excited to read this summer? I would love to hear about it. Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

The post (Time) Travel With These 17 Historical Fiction Books for Summer appeared first on Passion of Audiobooks.

Where would you like to travel this summer? Paris in the 1980s, Tennessee, to witness the Scopes Monkey Trial, post World War I England, or how about traveling with a group of recently emancipated slaves to establish a Happy Land in the mountains of South Carolina? Or maybe the beaches of Cape Cod will do the trick.

Ahh, there’s just something about summer reading, and I’m so glad this glorious reading season is here!

When I think about what makes a good summer reading book, it’s all about the feels. Where I live in Southern California, summer is heat and ocean breezes, afternoons spent by the pool or in my backyard as it starts to cool down in the early evening.

But sometimes I want a book that will take me on an adventure or to another time and place completely.

Whatever you are looking for this summer, this 2024 summer reading list has you covered.

This list truly has something for everyone. Do you want a good romance? It’s here. Dark comedy? You’re covered. Magical realism? Historical fiction? Memoir? Or are you looking to sink into a good literary fiction book this summer?

All of the books on this list were published in 2024, and I ordered them based on their publication date. I also decided to limit the list to books published no later than July.

May this be your best summer reading season to date!

Books to Read This Summer: The 2024 Edition

The American Queen by Vanessa Miller

The American Queen tells the story of a group of formerly enslaved Americans who were forced out of their homes in Mississippi. They travel northward in search of land where they can settle and establish their own community, and they do just that under the leadership of their sweet queen and king in a series of providential events. This is a beautiful and true story about loyalty, survival, trust, power, love, and forgiveness.

This book is great on audio! My favorite part was when the narrator would sing. She really brought Louella to life.

• Genre: Historical Fiction
• Length: 368 pages
• Publication Date: January 30, 2024

buy the book!

Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle

Daphne is a Jewish girl who grew up in the LA area who is normal in every way except one . . . whenever she meets a new man that she is going to date, a piece of paper appears with the man’s name and how long the relationship is going to last. But when the story opens, she gets a paper with a man’s name on it with no expiration date, which leads her to believe he’s the one. The story progresses from there as it alternates between the past and the present. What starts out as a bit of a whimsical love story starts to take shape as it slowly reveals that there’s a lot more going on in Daphne’s life than what meets the eye. I think this would make a perfect book to take to the beach.

• Publish Date: March 19, 2024
• Length: 272 pages / 6 hours 54 minutes
• Genre: Magical Realism, Women’s Fiction, Romance
• Content Notes: Open Door, but sex scenes are minimal.

buy the book!

You’d Look Better as a Ghost by Joanna Wallace

When I was shopping at my local Barnes & Noble recently, the bookseller who rang me up pointed to a stack of books that I could get for 50 percent off because they were the monthly picks for April. She also explained that B&N tries to pick good books that are under the radar and may not be getting as much attention as others, which I think is pretty cool. This one caught my attention, so I decided to pick it up. I love books that can make me laugh, so we will see if this one lives up to my expectations.

Claire is a part-time serial killer who only kills people who deserve it. But when she has a not-so-spontaneous meeting with a man she meets in a bar with intentions for his demise, there’s someone who’s watching her and starting to catch on to her not-so-wholesome hobby. Recommended for fans of the TV show Dexter. Early readers say this is a fast-paced novel that is fun and snarky. I can’t wait to read this one!

• Genre: Thriller, Dark Comedy
• Length: 336 pages
• Publication Date: March 26, 2024

Buy the book!

Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez

Justin and Emma both have the same curse — whoever they date finds their soul mate in the next person they date after them. Justin decides to take his complaints to Reddit, and Emma DMs him to tell him she has the same problem. The two start texting and talking on the phone, and they decide they want to see if they can break the curse if they both date each other. The only problem is that Justin lives in Minnesota and Emma is a traveling nurse who is about to head to Hawaii. Will she be able to convince her best friend, who is a traveling nurse with her, to spend her summer in Minneapolis instead of Hawaii? And most importantly, will Emma and Justin be able to break the dreaded curse? I picked this book as my Book of the Month pick for April, and so far, I am thoroughly enjoying it. This book has the perfect summer feels!

• Genre: Romance
• Length: 432 pages
• Publication Date: April 2, 2024

Buy the book!

How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang

This book caught my attention because of the interesting plot. Helen is an author who is in Los Angeles to work on adapting her book for TV. But the real story in this novel is the backstory — more than 10 years ago, Helen’s sister died by suicide when she stepped into oncoming traffic. When in LA, Grant, the man who was driving the car when her sister died, is one of the lead screenwriters who she now has to work very closely with. To say Helen is repulsed by Grant is an understatement. This novel is about how Helen and Grant navigate the tragedy and their unexpected relationship.

If you don’t like open-door romances, you won’t like this one. I kept reading because I wanted to see what happened, but I could have done without the very prevalent and descriptive sex scenes (even though I tried my best to skip past them).

While this is a debut novel by Yulin Kuang, she’s not new to writing. Her day job is working as a writer and director in Hollywood. In fact, Emily Henry fans will be excited to learn that Kuang is currently working on adapting People We Meet on Vacation (screenwriter) and Beach Read (writer/director).

• Genre: Romance
• Length: 384 pages
• Publication Date: April 9, 2024
• Content Notes: Suicide, grief, angsty, wide open door (see note above).

Buy the book!

The French Ingredient by Jane Bertch

Would an American woman dare to open a cooking school in Paris? That’s exactly what Jane Bertch did. Jane’s first experience in Paris was for a graduation trip when she turned 18, but she left feeling disenchanted by the famous French city after dealing with snobbish waiters and shopkeepers who were impatient and rude as she stumbled with the French language. But when she’s transferred there for work 10 years later, she not only starts to have a new appreciation for the place, she also starts to develop a dream — to open a French cooking school geared toward English-speaking foreigners and tourists who want to learn more about French cooking in a less intimidating setting. Bertch says, “The French Ingredient is a memoir about building a life in Paris one lesson at a time.” Opened in 2009, La Cuisine is now the largest non-professional cooking school in France.

• Genre: Memoir
• Length: 304 pages
• Publication Date: April 9, 2024

Buy the book!

The Evolution of Annabel Craig by Lisa Grunwald

I predict that this book will be one of my top books for the year. To say this book is a historical fiction book about the Scopes Monkey Trial doesn’t do it justice. Yes, it is definitely about that, and I loved getting this on-the-ground view of that pivotal trial, but it’s really a story about a young woman named Annabel Craig. Annabel has to navigate living on her own after both her parents died when she was a young teenager, a marriage with an up-and-coming local lawyer, the biggest event to ever happen in Dayton, Tennessee, and her faith in God in the face of it all. I thought it was all beautifully told in this book by Lisa Grunwald. Also, Grunwald can write! I will definitely try to get ahold of her backlist titles.

• Publish Date: April 16, 2024
• Length: 320 pages / 12 hours
• Genre: Historical Fiction
• Content Notes: Miscarriage

buy the book!

Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth

I have read four or five Sally Hepworth novels, and this might be her best to date. Darling Girls is about three women who grew up in the foster-care system in Australia. The women, who refer to each other as sisters, all lived in the same home with an abusive foster mother. What’s interesting about the abuse is that none of it is physical. It’s all emotional and psychological. But these girls live in fear. I think this book is a good reminder that sometimes emotional and psychological abuse is almost more deceptive than physical abuse because a savvy abuser will convince you that you deserve it. This book also highlights some serious gaslighting and a surprisingly unreliable narrator. I always find unreliable narrators especially creepy.

• Genre: Mystery & Thrillers | Women’s Fiction
• Length: 352 pages
• Publication Date: April 23, 2024
• Content Notes: Emotional abuse to children

Buy the book!

Funny Story by Emily Henry

Daphne is living alone in a small Michigan town following a devastating breakup with her fiance after he realizes he is in love with his childhood best friend, Petra. Daphne keeps to herself while she continues to work her dream job as a children’s librarian. But she is having a hard time making ends meet and needs a roommate. Who else would understand her predicament better than Petra’s ex-boyfriend, Miles, who also needs a place to live? Initially, they live pretty separate lives until a friendship starts to form, and they decide to post fake photos of themselves on social media to taunt their exes. You can only imagine what happens after that. I love the fake romance trope, which is why this one is definitely on my TBR.

Go here for more Emily Henry!

• Genre: Romance
• Length: 400 pages
• Publication Date: April 23, 2024

Buy the book!

The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichl

I read two Reichl memoirs a couple of summers ago, so when I saw that she was coming out with a novel, I was definitely curious. When the book opens, it’s 1983, and Stella is alone in Paris for what appears to be the first time. She stumbles into a vintage clothing store where the shopkeeper forcefully encourages her to try on a vintage Dior dress that transforms her figure, but when she asks for the price, she is so started she changes back into her clothes and flees. We are then transported back to 1957, where we start to learn about Stella’s childhood and what life was like being raised by her narcissistic mother. Early readers say this book transports you back to 1980s Paris, and the food descriptions are mouth-watering.

• Genre: Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction with a bit of magical realism thrown in
• Length: 288 pages
• Publication Date: April 23, 2024
• Content Notes: Child sexual abuse (The book tells about the abuse happening, but it does not describe it.)

Buy the book!

Real Americans by Rachel Khong

Real Americans is a novel that explores identity and destiny through three generations of one family. The story starts in New York City at the brink of Y2K, where Lily Chen, a young intern, meets and falls in love with Matthew, an heir to a pharmaceutical empire. Fast forward to 2021, Lily’s son Nick feels out of place on a Washington island and embarks on a quest to find his biological father, uncovering family secrets along the way. This book is about class, race, visibility, and inheritance, questioning if our futures are predestined or shaped by us.

• Genre: Asian American Literature
• Length: 416 pages
• Publication Date: April 30, 2024

Buy the book!

Crow Talk by Eileen Garvin

Crow Talk tells the story of Frankie, an ornithologist, and Anne, an Irish musician, who form an unlikely friendship in the Pacific Northwest. Their bond, along with Anne’s silent five-year-old son Aiden, grows as they heal from their individual sorrows, aided by a baby crow that brings them together. This book is about love, friendship, grief, and the gift of nature during treacherous times. Early readers say that while this book has a slow start, they quickly became invested in these multifaceted characters. Great for fans of Kristen Hannah!

• Genre: Nature Fiction
• Length: 368 pages
• Publication Date: April 30, 2024

Buy the book!

The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club by Helen Simonson

The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club offers a satirical take on the years following World War I in England. Set in 1919, the novel follows Constance Haverhill, a woman facing uncertain prospects after the return of men from World War I. She becomes a lady’s companion to a family friend at a seaside hotel and finds herself immersed in the vibrant social life of Hazelbourne-on-Sea. She befriends Poppy Wirrall, an unconventional woman leading a ladies’ motorcycle club, challenging societal norms. Amidst romance and social upheaval, Constance and her newfound friends navigate a changing England, grappling with the loss of freedoms gained during the war. The novel blends humor, romance, and historical insight, offering a captivating portrayal of a generation on the brink of change.

• Genre: Historical Fiction
• Length: 423 pages
• Publication Date: May 7, 2024

Buy the book!

The Summer Swap by Sarah Morgan

A romance novel that takes place at a cottage on Cape Cod? Sign me up! This is a book about secrets, family, grief, honesty, and an unexpected friendship. Cecilia is 70 year-old-woman who has sworn she would never return to Dune Cottage, that is until she’s looking for someplace to go to escape her 70th birthday party. The cottage is full of both sweet and painful memories for Cecilia — painful memories she has never revealed to her daughter Kristen. When Cecilia arrives at the cottage, she finds Lilly, a medical school dropout turned house cleaner, who has been squatting in what she thought was an unoccupied cottage. But Cecilia invites her to stay. As the two develop a friendship, Cecilia’s grandson Todd comes for a visit, who is also Lily’s long-time crush.

• Genre: Romance
• Length: 336 pages
• Publication Date: May 7, 2024

Buy the book!

The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley

The Ministry of Time mixes genres to tell a story about a civil servant who joins a government project exploring time travel and ends up falling in love with a historical figure from 1845. The protagonist works as a “bridge” for Commander Graham Gore, an explorer thought to have died in the Arctic, helping him adjust to modern life and concepts like Spotify and washing machines, leading to an unexpected romance. Alongside a quirky group of characters from different eras, they navigate personal histories and future choices in this inventive and entertaining tale. One early reader says this book has Outlander vibes.

• Genre: Science Fiction, Time Travel
• Length: 352 pages
• Publication Date: May 7, 2024

Buy the book!

The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren

Christina Lauren’s new romance novel features a grocery chain heir, Liam “West” Weston, and his ex-wife, Anna Green, who fake their marriage to claim a huge inheritance. Liam needs to prove he’s been happily married for five years to get $100 million from his grandfather’s will, but his family wants to meet his mysterious spouse. As they play the part, Liam worries if Anna can fit into his wealthy family’s world without losing her genuine nature and questions if the deception is worth risking their real love. I love the fake romance trope, and this one sounds like a lot of fun!

• Genre: Romantic Comedy
• Length: 352 pages
• Publication Date: May 14, 2024
• Content Notes: Fake romance, marriage of convenience

Buy the book!

I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue

This book is a light and humorous book about corporate culture while exploring more serious issues of identity and vulnerability. Jolene finds her co-workers irritable with a serious lack of boundaries. As an admin at Supershops, Inc., the last thing she wants to do is spend more time with them after work. To survive, she lets out her frustrations by leaving a P.S. at the end of her emails that she puts in a white font so no one can read them. That is, until someone discovers one. After her exposure, she is forced to attend sensitivity training. But the tables turn when an IT error gives her a chance to read the emails and DMs of her whole department. As a result, she finds out that layoffs are coming. This puts her on a new mission — to save her job. In the process, her own walls start to crumble, and she starts to develop feelings (that she is fighting) for Cliff from HR. Early readers say this book is reminiscent of The Office and Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine.

• Genre: Contemporary Fiction/Humor
• Length: 352 pages
• Publication Date: May 21, 2024

Buy the book!

Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan

From the author of Crazy Rich Asians. This is considered one of the most anticipated books of the year. Rufus Leung Gresham, future Duke of Greshambury, must restore his family’s fortune by marrying a wealthy woman. He faces the choice between three potential partners: a French hotel heiress, a venture capitalist, or the girl next door, whom he truly loves. The story unfolds across various exotic locations, with a volcanic eruption and a hot mic scandal threatening the Gresham family’s plans and reputation. Early readers say this is a fun read.

• Genre: Asian American Literature
• Length: 448 pages
• Publication Date: May 21, 2024

Buy the book!

Same As It Ever Was Claire Lombardo

This is considered one of the most anticipated books of the year that fans have been looking forward to since the release of The Most Fun We Ever Had. And early readers say it does not disappoint. This is a book about marriage, motherhood, friendship, identity, and how the past can still influence all these areas, no matter how well we’ve tried to ignore it.

Julia is a middle-aged woman with two adult children who seems to have an enviable life in the Chicago suburbs. But as is true in real life, there’s more going on beneath the surface. This becomes apparent when she runs into someone from her past at an upscale grocery store, and the holes in her seemingly perfect existence start to form. This happens in the backdrop of her son’s pending wedding and her teenage daughter, who is about to leave for college.

Many early readers say this book’s ending had them in tears. Even though this one is long, most readers say they didn’t mind the length and that this is one of those books that will stay with you.

• Genre: Literary Fiction, Family Saga
• Length: 512 pages
• Publication Date: June 18, 2024

Buy the book!

Sandwich by Catherine Newman

Rocky has cherished her family’s annual trips to Cape Cod for twenty years, where they’ve created many fond memories despite occasional challenges. This year, as she experiences menopause and reflects on past summers, Rocky must confront her secrets amidst the evolving dynamics of her family life while coping with aging parents. This is a book about family, parenting, love, and growth, full of imperfect characters in the beautiful beachy backdrop of Cape Cod.

“Sandwich is joy in book form. I laughed continuously, except for the parts that made me cry. Catherine Newman does a miraculous job reminding us of all the wonder there is to be found in life.” —Ann Patchett

• Genre: Literary Fiction, Family Life, Women’s Fiction
• Length: 240 pages
• Publication Date: June 18, 2024

Buy the book!

The Phoenix Ballroom by Roth Hogan

This is one of those novels that is like comfort food in a book. Venetia is a 74-year-old woman who has just lost her husband of 50 years. Venetia was a dutiful wife whose life was centered around her husband. She is now a wealthy widow. Before her marriage, she was a ballroom dance instructor who had dreamed of opening a dance school. As she begins to transform her life with a makeover and a new dog, one day, while taking a walk, she sees the Phoenix Ballroom, which is now used as a church and a community center. She decides to buy it, and through it she not only gains a dance school, but an entire community. This is a multigenerational, feel-good novel about forgiveness, redemption, and hope.

• Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Found Family
• Length: 320 pages
• Publication Date: June 21, 2024

Buy the book!

The Summer of Yes by Natalie Walsh

Kelsey and Georgina form an unlikely friendship during a hospital stay. Kelsey is 32. She has a dream to become a writer, but instead, she’s an overworked and underappreciated junior book editor helping other writers’ dreams come true. Georgina is an older woman and a well-known successful businesswoman with just a few months to live due to her failing kidneys. While Georgina is looking back on her life and her many regrets, it gets Kelsey thinking about her own ambitions. Together, they decide it’s time to start saying “Yes” to all of the opportunities they think they are too busy to fit into their working lives. And there may be a couple of romances that come because of it. Early readers say to expect to cry “happy tears.”

• Genre: Clean Romance
• Length: 384 pages
• Publication Date: July 2, 2024

Buy the book!

The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer

Jeremy and Rafe were best friends who disappeared as boys and returned with no memory of their time away. Fifteen years later, Jeremy, now a skilled missing persons’ investigator, and Rafe, a scarred reclusive artist, are drawn back into the mystery when Emilie Wendell seeks Jeremy’s help to find her sister in the same forest. They must confront their past and return to the enchanting world they once knew to uncover the truth and find what they’ve lost. This book is inspired by The Chronicles of Narnia.

“This wildly imaginative book speaks to every reader who yearns for a more magical world.” — Author Thao Thai

• Genre: Fantasy, Magical Realism
• Length: 352 pages
• Publication Date: July 16, 2024

Buy the book!

What are you going to read this summer? I would love to know what caught your eye.

Free Download

Join the Choose Your Own Adventure Summer Reading Challenge!

Name

Email*

Email

Submit

The post New Books to Read This Summer: Your 2024 Summer Reading Companion appeared first on Passion of Audiobooks.